Guangxiao Temple Twin Pagodas

CHINA, Guangdong, Guangzhou

The twin pagodas are located on either side of the Great Hero Hall. The West Pagoda was built in 963 during the Southern Han Kingdom and is the oldest existing iron pagoda whose construction date has been verified. It was commissioned by the 33rd Lady of the Deng family, together with Gong Chengshu, a eunuch serving under Emperor Liu Chang (reigned 958–971). The East Pagoda was built in 967 in the name of Emperor Liu Chang.
Both pagodas are square, multi-tier, made of cast iron, and were originally gilded. The West Pagoda had seven tiers, but during the late Qing dynasty (1644–1911), some buildings collapsed on part of the pagoda leaving it with three tiers and a height of 3.1 m. The base platform and the lower base are made of rock. The middle section of the lower base is decorated with carvings, such as overlapping diamond patterns on the east and west faces, while bamboo-shaped pilasters are located at the four corners. The upper base is made of cast iron and has reliefs of twin dragons on all four sides with figures at each corner. The entire pagoda body is covered with images of Buddhas and a large Buddha niche is located at the center of each side.
The seven-story East Pagoda is 7.7 m high. The granite lower base is topped by a cast iron upper base with molded inscriptions and two dragons playing with a pearl. A large Buddha niche features on each side of the pagoda body, while the rest of the surface is covered with Buddha images. Altogether there are 28 large Buddhas and 996 small Buddhas.